‘Nimba Wants Tangible ETU’

Superintendent Fong Zuagele of Nimba County has underscored that Nimba will need tangible and durable Ebola Treatment Units to be constructed rather than make-shift ones.

Speaking during the visit of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General (SRSG) Madam Karin Landgren to Nimba last Monday, Supt. Zaugele said tangible and durable ETU will be better for the citizens than the building of makeshift ones, which might last for just a short period of time.

Since Ebola is a very serious and deadly outbreak, it is better to construct a tangible and lasting ETU so as to serve the citizens whenever there is another outbreak.

Mr. Zuagele’s remarks came after the visiting SRSG reaffirmed UNMIL’s commitment to working with the people of Nimba in the fight against Ebola.

The United Nations cannot end Ebola. It will only be ended when the citizens of Liberia willingly join the fight by observing all preventive measures published by health workers in the country, she said.

Observing the deplorable road condition the county faces, Ms. Landgren said UNMIL will continue with the rehabilitation of roads by repairing the damaged bridges and trenches along the roads.

This is the UNMIL Head’s first visit to Nimba since the deadly Ebola virus began raging in the Mano River countries since March this year.

She also used the occasion to talk with civil society organizations of Nimba, but what was discussed remains undisclosed.

Nimba County was badly hit with the Ebola Virus, leaving about 200 persons dead.

The only treatment center in Nimba is situated at the Compound of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital, which was formally an eye clinic.

With funding from Arcelor Mittal, Nimba was able to get the Ganta Eye Clinic to be transformed into the only ETU.

There is concern among many citizens in Nimba about providing a proper ETU so as to enable the doctors to conduct operations in case any of the Ebola patients come down with conditions that require surgery.

“Suppose someone such as a pregnant woman comes down with Ebola and gets into labor. How do we manage, because we do not have any place for such a case,” Dr. Gbarmie wondered.

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